Western Post 23 March 1861 Police report from 22 March (cont.) John LEWIS was charged with unlawfully assaulting Mrs MORIARTY. Mr BRODRIBB for complainant. Mr. CLARK (for TEMPLETON) for defendant. From the evidence of Mrs MORIARTY it appeared that LEWIS came to her shop on Sudnay night to light his pipe, when he was told to do so and go away. He was tipsy at the time, and Mrs MORIARTY not liking the smell of his breath, desired him to go away, which he would not do, and told her that he would give her "a lift on the lug". He then left the ship, but presently returned and struck her a blow, which cut her head open. She went to the Court-house for a constable. Her head had not been right since. W WARD was at Mrs MORIARTY's on Sunday. Did not see LEWIS strike Mrs MORIARTY, but saw her give him a slap on the face. He went out. On his return Mrs MORIARTY was on the ground with her head bleeding. Told LEWIS that as he was drunk it was very foolish of him to go into the house. LEWIS asked him if he had struck her as he was too drunk to know. Pat. LAHENE was burying fruit on Sunday night, when the row took place. Saw the woman strike LEWIS, who followed her into the shop. The Bench inflicted a fine of £5, to include professional and other costs. J SIDDARD, summoned by Mr M'ARTHUR for neglect of duty, settled out of Court. W COLEMAN, blacksmith, was charged with unlawfully discharging firearms in the town. Mr LYONS, J.P., said he as at COLEMAN's residence on Tuesday; recollected defendant leaving with a gun, and shortly after heard a report. Defendant returned home with (he thought) a gun in his hand. C RICHARDS, servant to Mr HOWARTH, saw the defendant outside the ...on the night in question with a gun in his hand; she was speaking to Mrs COLEMAN about a dog, when she saw the flash and smoke of a gun; was not more than two yards distant; a dog which ws close to her was shot in the paw. Upon speaking to COLEMAN of the danger of firing in the street, he (COLEMAN) said if she did not go away he would shoot her. Mr TEBBUTT proved that the spot in question was within the township. Mr CLARKE intimated to the Bench that Mr HOWARTH had not brought the case before the Court in consequence of any unneighbourly feeling against Mr COLEMAN, but simply as a matter of public duty, on account of the practice of discharging firearms becoming so general - a practice which, if not suppressed, would some day be attended with serious consequences, especially in places where there are so many children constantly playing about. The Bench said, taking all the circumstances into consideration, they would on this occasion inflict a fine of only five shillings, but in future would put a much higher one in force. ***END*** Annette Piper Please note: Every effort has been to transcribe the above information correctly, however errors may have inadvertently been made. Spelling of surnames/places as appears in original.